Scholarlink

<p>The Western Indian Ocean biodiversity hotspot hosts a remarkable array of endemic species, but invasive alien species increasingly threaten its unique ecosystems. Lizards of the West African <i>Agama agama</i> species group are successful colonizers, with recent introductions to Grande Comore (Comoros Archipelago) and Reunion Island. Systematic revisions within the native range of the <i>A. agama</i> species group have left many of the introduced populations without clear identity. We used molecular methods to determine the identities of the <i>Agama</i> species introduced to Grande Comore and Reunion Island, define their respective likely origin, and assess body size characteristics for each island population. We identified <i>Agama picticauda</i> as the species present on both islands with likely origins in two distinct Western African regions. Agamas from Reunion Island had longer and wider heads with greater body weight than Grande Comore individuals. Sexual size dimorphism on both islands was driven by weight, with males being heavier than females. We provide foundations for further research on the ecology and impacts of <i>A. picticauda</i> on Western Indian Ocean islands and to aid in the development of targeted management strategies for controlling this invasive reptile.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Molecular analysis confirms Agama picticauda invasion on Western Indian Ocean islands

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2025年2月17日

查看全文
  • Markus A. Roesch,
  • Kathleen C. Webster,
  • Nicolas Huet,
  • Oliver Hawlitschek,
  • Youssouf Mohamed,
  • Sohan Sauroy-Toucouère,
  • Philipp Wagner,
  • Andreas Schmitz

摘要

The Western Indian Ocean biodiversity hotspot hosts a remarkable array of endemic species, but invasive alien species increasingly threaten its unique ecosystems. Lizards of the West African Agama agama species group are successful colonizers, with recent introductions to Grande Comore (Comoros Archipelago) and Reunion Island. Systematic revisions within the native range of the A. agama species group have left many of the introduced populations without clear identity. We used molecular methods to determine the identities of the Agama species introduced to Grande Comore and Reunion Island, define their respective likely origin, and assess body size characteristics for each island population. We identified Agama picticauda as the species present on both islands with likely origins in two distinct Western African regions. Agamas from Reunion Island had longer and wider heads with greater body weight than Grande Comore individuals. Sexual size dimorphism on both islands was driven by weight, with males being heavier than females. We provide foundations for further research on the ecology and impacts of A. picticauda on Western Indian Ocean islands and to aid in the development of targeted management strategies for controlling this invasive reptile.